908 Devices Empowers Traditional Mass Spectrometry With The Launch Of Zipchip

Innovative new microfluidic technology enhances mass spectrometer capabilities across all phases of the biopharmaceutical and biotech development process

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--908 Devices, a pioneer of purpose-built analytical devices for chemical analysis, today announced the launch of ZipChip^TM, an innovative system that provides high-quality separation capabilities as a front-end for mass spectrometry (MS), resulting in fast analysis for a broad range of biomolecules. Powered by integrated microfluidic technology, ZipChip revolutionizes the analysis of small molecules to large intact proteins from a range of biofluids and matrices such as blood, urine, plasma, cell lysates, growth media and biotherapeutic products. This enhancement will accelerate the pace and productivity of the biopharmaceutical and biotech development process, from the discovery and development of biotherapeutics all the way through to production and product QA/QC.

“The ZipChip System offers one of the only methods for intact protein separation and direct injection into a mass spec for analysis, which will reap benefits throughout the industry and drug development process.”

Traditionally, MS is used for a wide range of biopharma and biotech applications. However, for many large molecules, such as intact proteins, antibodies (mAb), or antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), traditional separation techniques are not directly compatible with traditional MS instruments. Even with small molecules, onerous sample preparation and long analysis times seriously impact lab productivity. With ZipChip, users can obtain positive analysis of these separation peaks by simply connecting a ZipChip interface to existing MS instruments.

“As a company, we are focused on democratizing chemical analysis by way of mass spectrometry,” said Dr. Kevin J. Knopp, CEO & co-founder at 908 Devices. “Years of research led to ZipChip’s novel approach to on-board sample preparation and front-end separations that enhance powerful mass spec analysis and puts added capabilities in the hands of scientists. Our sights have always been set on developing products for the life science market and with ZipChip we dramatically improve what users can see with their MS instruments; transforming time-consuming sample runs into fast, everyday analysis.”

ZipChip integrates on-board sample preparation, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and electrospray ionization (ESI) into a single microfluidic device to prepare, separate and electrospray biological samples directly into a mass spectrometer. With little sample preparation by the user, the cost-effective ZipChip technology analyzes molecules quickly, eliminating any trade-off between speed, quality and the amount of sample needed.

Through this single interface, users can achieve the following benefits:

• Reduced analysis time: In three minutes or less, ZipChips produce separations that are typically equivalent to thirty-minute liquid chromatography (LC) or traditional CE runs with better quality results.
• Broad applications and low sample volumes: ZipChips are optimized for both large and small molecules and only require a few nanoliters of sample.
• Process efficiency: Typical LC or CE sample prep can take up to thirty minutes. Add to that the long run times and ZipChip could save users up to one hour per sample.
• Simple implementation and ease of use: The ZipChip System easily integrates with commonly used MS instruments and has simple push-button operation.

“Early feedback from customers at several of the leading biopharmaceutical companies is that ZipChip is a real game changer when it comes to analyzing biological molecules,” said Dr. Chris Petty, Co-founder & VP of Business Development at 908 Devices. “The ZipChip System offers one of the only methods for intact protein separation and direct injection into a mass spec for analysis, which will reap benefits throughout the industry and drug development process.”

To learn more about ZipChip, visit: http://908devices.com/products/zipchip/ or email zipchip@908devices.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @908Devices and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/908-devices.

About 908 Devices
908 Devices, is democratizing chemical analysis by way of mass spectrometry, offering point-of-need chemical analysis devices ranging from rugged, handheld chemical detection tools to compact, tiny footprint analyzers and fast separation devices. These purpose-built and user-centric devices serve a range of industries including safety and security, oil & gas, life sciences and other applied markets. 908 Devices is headquartered in the heart of Boston where they research, design and manufacture innovative products based on High Pressure Mass Spectrometry^TM (HPMS).